Effects of participation in dancesports program on age identity, existential identity, and ego integrity of the elderly in South Korea

For successful aging and welfare of the Korean eldery in the face of ‘super-aged society’, this study aimed to explore the effects of participation in dancesports program on age identity, existential identity, and ego Integrity of the elderly. This study used a pre-posttest non-equivalent control group design as a field study. Subjects of experimental group (n=93) and control group (n=103) were males and females over 65 years old who participated in senior dancesports program or not during three months. Pretest and posttest were administered by using elderly existential identity scale, age identity scale, and ego integrity scale. Statistical methods were an Analysis of Covariance and a multi-level model of structural equation modeling by using M-plus program. Followings are the results of this study. First, participation in dancesports positively affects the elderly's sense of age identity. In other words, the sense of age identity improved after participation in dancesports. Second, participation in dancesports positively affects the existing identity of the elderly. Therefore, the existential identity feeling after participating in the dancesports is higher than before. Third, participation in dancesports positively affects ego integrity of elderly people. The ego integrity improved significantly after participation in dance sports. Fourth, dancesports participation has a positive influence on age identity, existential identity, and ego integrity both directly and indirectly. In addition, dancesports participation has a positive influence on ego integrity mediated by age identity and existential identity. The effects of participation in dancesports program can provide the empirical evidences for expanding the scope of social welfare for elderly. This study will also contribute to the understanding, specialization, and institutionalization of the potential value of the therapeutic programs for the elderly which has not yet established as a specialized field in South Korea.